Aisa’s rating of destinations - SPA & Massage

Indonesia Massage | Thai Massage
Ayurvedic massage
Nha Trang, Vietnam | Sanya, China | Sentosa, Singapore

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A topical SPA or Asian massage is perfect to unwind after a day’s sightseeing or as a jetlag treatment, or to relax your sour muscle after a dive or surf. For health and beauty conscious people, SPA & massage is a great way to relax your body and mind, and it can be therapeutic and rejuvenating! It is Aisa ’s weekly regime if time permits.

The popular massage are Thai massage and Indonesia massage, they are available in almost every destinations of the respective countries. In fact they are so popular that they can be found across Asia, not just in Thailand or Indonesia.

You can get massage in hotels and resort, massage parlor or salon,  even right on the beach. The price varies by locations.

Indonesia massage | Indonesia | Aisa’s rating

There are many form of Indonesia massage, and Balinese massage is one of it. It’s based on Tibetan, Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic therapies.  Balinese massage is an oil-based massage. It involves skin rolling and kneading, compressions, long strokes, palm and thumb pressure on energy lines and feet acupressure. It helps to stimulate the flow of blood and energy and brings relaxation and wellness. It’s also effective for small ailments like muscle and joint pain. There are many choice of essential oil. Some people prefer Balinese massage to Thai massage for its nice flow. A good website for SPA & Massage in Bali is www.balispa.net, which provides links to a huge list of SPA & Massage places in Bali by area, as well as their services & prices.

Other than Balinese massage, there are also Javanese massage, Lombok massage, etc.

Reflexology is a pressure-point massage that targets specific nerve locations on the feet, which correspond to organs and nerves throughout the body. Many believe that reflexology can cure many ailments by restoring balanced energy flow throughout the body. It’s one of Aisa’ favorite! Indonesian post natal massage helps new mums to control weight after giving birth.

Thai Massage | Thailand | Aisa’s rating

Thai massage is “assisted yoga” in many ways involving stretching and deep massage. The technique is derived from yoga and reflexology, with emphasis on applying pressure to the meridians and the stretching and compressing of the muscle. Usually oil is not applied, and the recipient lies on a mat, instead of a massage table. Every movement is designed to support and client as well as the therapist, when the recipient’s body is guided through different positions and acupressure points are stimulated. A typical Thai massage is 2 hours covering the entire body. The massage is given in silence.

Like yoga, it gives the recipient flexibility, inner organ massage through deep muscle stretching and joint release. While the kneading of muscle is common for other massage, the unique stretching is what makes Thai massage particularly helpful. The stretching involves pulling fingers, toes, cracking the knuckles, walking on the recipient’s back, arching the recipients’ back in a rolling action etc. The recipient body is moved, loosened and stretched afterwards.

Thai massage can be painful. It takes a little get-used-to, especially if you are have no experience with Yoga!

Thai massage is not to be confused with erotic massage, although many massage parlor offer sex service in the name of massage.

Ayurvedic massage | India & Sri Lanka | Aisa’s rating

Ayurvedic therapy & massage is part of the ancient Ayurveda medicine system, the oldest continuously practiced system of medicine on the planet. It focuses on stimulating the lymphatic system and helps your body to detoxify.

Look for a certified an Ayurvedic therapist for the massage or therapy.

Nha Trang | Aisa’s rating

There is hot spring center in Nha Trang - Thap Ba Hot Spring Center. You can choose to immerse in the spring for the minerals, or have a hot mud bath or steam bath, and a massage. Aisa loved the mud bath - the mud is as consistent as melted chocolate!

Sanya, china | Aisa’s rating

Nantian resort offers Hot Springs and SPA. The minerals in the spring have a healing effect on hypertension and skin diseases. Nantian resort is in northeast of Sanya which is about an hour’s drive from Yalong Bay.

Sentosa, Singapore | Aisa’s rating

Girls will like a foot massage at Fish Reflexology, Underwater World. A school of Turkish spa fish or African spa fish will nibble on the dead skin of your feet, making the skin smooth. The therapy is completed with a foot massage.